Darling Don’t Panic now offers the possibility to organise your civil wedding ceremony in the City Hall of Nouméa and be legally married in New Caledonia. In addition to our regular planning inclusions, we can also handle all the paperwork required for the legalisation of your marriage performed in New Caledonia

Jac Bowie (owner of Darling Don’t Panic and our Head Wedding Planner) is a certified travel specialist from the Nouvelle Caledonie Tourism board and is at your disposal to inform and customise with you your wedding in New Caledonia, not only able to guide you on decisions for your ceremony & reception, but also where to stay, activities and all other travel arrangements.

Jac Works closely with our preferred travel agent to co-ordinate your travel itinerary and plans so your destination wedding is a seamless experience not only for you and your fiancé, but any other guests making the journey to attend.

Jac has a wealth of local knowledge when it comes to choosing the right suppliers, locations and styles for your event.

IMPORTANT :

Compulsory conditions to be met by both spouses for the organisation of the civil marriage

Be single, widowed, or divorced

Be of opposite sex (transsexual excluded)

Be 18 years of age or more on the wedding day

Not be related

Show proof of Citizenship: a copy of the valid passport is requested (dual nationality is acceptable except in the case of French citizenship of one of the two spouses. In this situation, the requirement of a minimum 1 month residency in New Caledonia prior to the wedding remains applicable)

Witnesses accompanying the spouses can be either of French or other nationality. To be legally married in New Caledonia it will be necessary for the bride & the groom to reserve at the latest 180 days prior to their weeding day and to submit the following documents at the latest 90 days prior their weeding day

Requested Documents:

A Certificate of Birth

A Custom Certificate and Certificate of Celibacy

If divorced: Final Decree of Divorce

If widower/widow: Death Certificate

If the future spouses wish to have a marriage contract, they will have to establish a Pre-Nuptial Agreement

All these documents must be fully translated into French by a sworn translator.

As your Wedding Planner, we shall assist and guide you in collecting the above legal documents.

As I look at our almost 1800 current client enquiries, it’s clear that finding out about a wedding planner is high on the list when it comes to researching your wedding and pulling together your budget.

These days, planners are more affordable than you think, and booking one early on, can help you make better decisions from the start. For example, booking your planner before finding your venue means bringing along your planner to help negotiate! Or even have her look at the venue from a logistics point of view. Your planner can also steer you in the right direction to suppliers that have been tested and are reputable- some will even offer exclusive discounts to planners that you just can’t get direct.

If you are still on the fence, here are 9 reasons why you should hire a wedding planner.

1. Saves money

While hiring a wedding planner may seem like such a costly thing to do initially, the amount that you can save with their help is going to be well worth the investment. Since many vendors already have a good relationship with the planner, that can mean discounts and special negotiations for you.

2. Reduces stress

Getting a wedding planner to deal with some things will help to ensure that you’re not stuck doing all of the heavy lifting. For one, they’re an expert in the business, which means they know the vendors who offer the best deals as well as which ones are reliable. Also, they’re used to handling logistics, which means that you can relax instead of worrying about everything last minute.

Not only do wedding planners reduce the stress of the people getting married (and their friends and relatives), they ease the mind of vendors as well. Since they aren’t overwhelmed in the same way as the people directly involved in the wedding, they can stay level headed when dealing with the vendors. It makes things easier for everyone involved, and helps avoid any stressful confrontations.

3. Budget management

“Wedding planners can help you stick to your budget and, at times, even save more than you expect,” says Jac Bowie from Darling Don’t Panic. She also explains that wedding planners know how to make the most of your budget. Because wedding planners have come across just about anything that could be wanted in a wedding, they know what works and what doesn’t. They know which items should be given priority because of the impact they will have in the long run.

4. Saves time

Hiring a planner will help you save time so you can think about more important things concerning your wedding. Instead of canvassing and choosing vendors on your own, wedding planners often have recommendations you can check out to limit your search. Plus, they can handle the small details while you are given more time to deal with more important things.

5. They’ll have a handle on things

Wedding planners will help you achieve your visions of your wedding day, and they know all the ins and outs to wedding planning. They’ll be doing their best to stick to your vision and to make sure that everything goes smoothly for it to become a reality. They can handle the sticky details like legal contracts, and you can be assured that they will handle things from start to finish. They’ll be able to foresee most of the things that can go wrong and be able to deal with them at a moment’s notice.

6. On the day co-ordination

As opposed to simply coordinating one aspect of your wedding, wedding planners are trained to plan out the entire day from pre-ceremony to post-reception. While some venues have an in-house coordinator, they usually only manage the events related with the venue like scheduling and catering. They don’t really help manage all the details, from the most consequential ones to the tiniest ones that hold importance to you. An external planner will be able to take care of it all.

7. After party

There’s going to be a lot to cleaning up after all is said and done, and luckily your wedding planner can deal with that as well. You won’t have to worry about a thing as they can do final sweeps to make sure that nothing is forgotten or left behind at the venue, and they’ll make sure to let you know if that happens. You’re probably going to be tired after the day and cleaning up is the last thing on your mind, so your planner will deal with it for you. They’ve got your back from start to finish.

8. Venue management

If your wedding and reception venue are one and the same, your wedding planner will likely be equipped to flip the venue to accommodate the shift in a short time. It also helps if the recommended vendors are ones who are familiar with the setup of the place, so that they know exactly what they’ll be doing to set up everything in time.

9. Custom packages

Wedding planners have different packages depending on the amount of help that their clients need. Some couples have event planning experience of their own, or some of their friends may be able to handle most of the major details, but need help smoothing them out as the wedding date grows near. That’s fine. Wedding planners can offer custom packages that accommodate each couple’s needs.

A good wedding planner can relieve a lot of the stress of planning the big day, and help make your wedding something truly special.

A bridal look is like icing on the cake of a perfectly planned wedding. It’s not just clothes: it is a bride’s statement of how she wants to present herself and it is one of the few things she will be doing for the wedding that is for her and nobody else. But while the gown itself is the main piece, it is not the complete outfit, and it won’t be complete until all the accessories are put into place. But how do you find the right dosage without overdoing the jewelry? Follow these tips and you are guaranteed to look elegant and fashionable:

Think about shape

Your wedding accessories can drastically alter the shape of your dress, and with that, your body. If you want to add some edge and rock-chick vibe to your outfit, then a structured jacket with padded shoulders can be a great option, but steer clear from it if you want to maintain a softer look. A belt or sash will not only add an interesting detail to the dress, but it will also draw the eye to your waist, which is perfect for brides with an hourglass silhouette. If you have a beautiful, detailed neckline, then you don’t want to cover it with a jacket. Accessories that alter the shape of the dress are an amazing tool that can help you create the dress of your dreams, but they can also ruin a good thing if not used in the right way.

Arrange your metals

Before you put anything on, try to display it all on a neutral-colored surface. The first thing you want to look at is whether all the metals match. A mix of silver, yellow, gold, white gold and everything in between will make you look more tacky than elegant, so try to make sure that it all matches. If you’re not sure which one you prefer, choose a favorite – or most symbolic – piece of the bunch and match the rest to that one. The next step is putting it all on. You want to make sure that two or more pieces aren’t competing for attention on any part of your body. If you have a statement choker necklace, then you don’t want large, dangling earrings that will hang right next to it. Try different lengths, sizes and styles until you find a good balance. When you look at any one part of your body, your eye should be drawn to just one thing, but it should all work together.

Get comfortable

You are going to be spending a long time in that outfit, so you really don’t want to have anything poking, pinching or stabbing you. The first thing to think about are the shoes: you can find an amazing selection of Badgley Mischka shoes, from closed pumps to kitten heel sandals. Try the shoes on well in advance and wear them a bit around the house to break them in. Secondly, if your dress has boning, you want to make sure it’s tailored and comfortable even after prolonged wear. Make sure your jewelry isn’t too heavy, because your ears or neck might start to hurt after the whole day. This also means making sure that everything you are wearing is the right size and made from materials that won’t irritate your skin.

Don’t forget the staples

There are two things that are the cherries on top of a bridal outfit: the veil and the bouquet. The bouquet is a great way to add color to your outfit, and if you have some color in your set-up already, then make sure the colors don’t clash. There are plenty of beautiful flowers native to Australia that can be put into a bouquet. As far as the veil goes, you should get acquainted with the different shapes and styles that are available. Choose something that will complement your dress and won’t cover any important details that you want to stand out. Remember that these don’t have to be traditional versions: you can wear a stylish hat instead of a veil and your bouquet can be transformed into a balloon, basket or even a floral necklace. Take the best of what tradition has to offer and make it your own.

Accessorizing a wedding gown is not an easy task, and it might take you just about as long as it will to find the dress itself, but when you take that first look at the mirror, it will all be worth it. Remember to use these accessories to express your personality and any message you want to send to your guests.

Your wedding day will be one of the most special occasions in your life. All the eyes will be upon you as you walk towards the aisle and your future life. Naturally, you’ll want to look absolutely stunning on your special day. You may have already planned out your look, scheduled a stylist and booked a makeup artist, but your beauty preparation for the wedding should start even months in advance. With proper care and beauty routine, you’ll feel and look like the most gorgeous bride in the world.

The flawless skin

The last thing you want is a sudden acne breakout or saggy skin on your big day. Giving your skin a youthful and natural glow will make you look rested, healthy and beautiful. And the first step towards healthy skin is water. You need to drink plenty of water, around two liters per day, especially right before your wedding day. Not only will water make your skin look hydrated and healthy, but it will also cleanse it from toxins and eliminate any possible spots.

Healthy, balanced diet is also important for the health of your skin, so you should make sure to eat foods that can nourish your skin, such as cucumbers, nuts, legumes, etc. You should also consider taking Omega fish oil supplements that will help you deal with acne, skin inflammation and other problems.
Creating and sticking to a care routine suitable for your skin type will also ensure that your skin is healthy and glowing on the big day. Your routine should include several important steps – cleansing, moisturising and toning on a daily basis. Exfoliation is also important, but you shouldn’t do it more than two or three times per week. If needed, you can apply special treatments, for example, night eye cream for reducing dark circles and puffiness.

The same goes for the rest of your body – you should try dry body brushing to increase your blood flow and reduce cellulite, scrub every other day and moisturise immediately after showering.

The gorgeous hair

Whether you want a special hairstyle or simple, but gorgeous locks, you need to get your hair ready for the big day. This means regular haircuts to eliminate split ends that can make your hair look dull. You should also consult with a professional Aussie colour technician who can help you find the perfect hue that will flatter your skin tone. You should definitely avoid any sudden and major hair changes right before the wedding. Instead, you should go with something familiar, but elegant that will accentuate your facial features. If needed, you can also try some treatments that will add gloss to your hair. Finally, you can try clip-in hair extensions to add volume and length to your hair.

The charming smile

Perhaps the most important embellishment you can wear on your wedding day is your smile. The perfect, pearly white smile will make you radiate with happiness and positivity. Thus, you should consider scheduling dental whitening before your wedding. For example, professional teeth whitening in Sydney can be done in an hour, providing you with the perfect smile for your wedding. Thus, you don’t have to panic if you haven’t scheduled a treatment yet. To make your smile absolutely mesmerising, you should also take care of your lips. Exfoliate them at least once a week and use a Vitamin E stick to prevent your lips from cracking.

The perfect nails

It will take time for your nails to regenerate and grow, so early preparation is of the utmost importance. You should find the best manicurist in your hometown, but don’t hesitate to contact someone from larger cities, such as Melbourne or Sydney, who enjoys a great reputation. They can give you advice on how to take care of your nails and which products you should use. Most importantly, you need to stick to a healthy diet rich in calcium and Omega oils. Using high-quality cuticle oil is also crucial because it will moisturise your nails and prevent them from splitting.

When it comes to styling up your nails, you should choose a natural shape. As for nail polish colour, you should go with a hue that will fit your skin tone. Light shades with blue or pink undertones are great for pale skin tone while red and pink shades can brighten up a dark complexion. If you’re not sure which colour to choose, you can always consult with your manicurist.

On your big day, you should be at your most gorgeous and beautiful and the key to achieving this lies in early preparation and proper beauty routines.

First dates are always nerve-racking no matter what the circumstances are. But imagine being asked out on a first date – to a wedding? It’s rare, sure, but sometimes life throws us into situations where we have to sink or swim. And let’s be honest, if you are ready to go on a wedding date with someone, you probably deem them swim-worthy. But this really is a once-in-a-lifetime situation, and in case you need some help wrapping your head around it, here are some guidelines:

Don’t overthink it
As soon as you got the text, you probably started analyzing every single detail and interpreting it in all the wrong ways. Does this mean they want to get married soon? Do they always need the approval of their family and this was the best occasion? Do they only need a date, so people wouldn’t ask them why they’re single? Am I supposed to catch the bouquet? What if I like them and want to catch it? Breathe. You’re overthinking it. Maybe they are too nervous and want the support of people they know. Maybe their family pressured them to bring a date, and they thought you’d be sweet and understanding. The point is that it’s just a date, and if you think there’s some subtext, you can just ask them about it.

Dress to impress… slightly
There’s an art to dressing for weddings, and it’s not an easy one to master. You should definitely follow the usual wedding attire rules, but you should also do your best not to stick out too much. If your date is someone important at the wedding, like a sibling or cousin of the couple, you will probably be getting quite a bit of attention, so you don’t want to be attracting all of the attention away from the bride. Be beautiful, yet classy, and make sure you check beforehand what the dress code is.

Get to know them beforehand
If this is going to be your first date, you don’t want to learn in the middle of the party that he has a trait you definitely don’t approve of. If you’re someone who dislikes first dates because of situations like those, these are great first date tips for you. Text them a lot – more than you normally would before a date, but hey, they asked you out to a wedding, you have that right! And if you have some deal breakers that might come up during the wedding, try to casually discuss them beforehand. Next, find out info about their friends. We all do a little bit of Facebook stalking before the first date, but if you are going to be meeting a lot of their family and friends, you might want to take a peek at what they’re like as well. If you have mutual friends, milk them for all the info they can give you.

Keep a conversational balance
Yes, you are there for them, and they are very aware that you are their date. But, they will want to talk with other people at your table and at the wedding in general, and you want to show that you are outgoing and friendly. So when you are mingling, don’t just stare at your date or at the floor while they are talking with friends, strike up a conversation yourself. If you two crazy kids continue dating, you will be seeing those people a lot, and you don’t want them to think you’re antisocial. But make sure you don’t go overboard and focus only on the people around you, give your date some attention too. It’s your first date and you should act like it, by getting to know them and having fun together.

And if all else fails, at least you get to dress up pretty, eat some cake and break it down on the dance floor. Don’t worry, weddings are full of the craziest emotional roller coasters, and your will be just one of many. So relax and simply think of it as a fancy, first date party.